Amalgam Comics is a comic shop that offers much more than good reads.

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For comic book lovers, Amalgam Comics in New Kensington is the new place to visit. Doors opened on December 14th, making Amalgam perfect for anyone looking for a warm place to duck into this winter.

Owned by Ariell R. Johnson, Amalgam Comics offers a potent combination for customers who are superheroes at heart – delicious coffee and independent comics to read at one’s leisure.

Photo courtesy of yelp.com

As the first black female-owned comic shop to open on the East Coast, Amalgam Comics wants to highlight diversity and the power of independent small businesses. It hopes to build a community around a shared love of comics and relaxing with friends by hosting “geeky” and diversity-themed workshops, book signings, family storytelling events, movie screenings and BYOB nights.

Photo courtesy of yelp.com

An alumna of Temple University, Johnson dreamed of a space focused on inclusivity, reflecting the importance of diversity representation beyond the straight white male paradigm.

From the start, she wanted to bring the passion and power of storytelling in comics to an approachable space where people could come together. In a recent interview, Johnson spelled out her mission for Amalgam Comics:

“We want to showcase diverse comics, creators, and characters. We think that comics are for everyone and anyone that loves comics – women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community. We will actively look to stock titles that showcase people in these groups, right along with Superman, Batman, Captain America, and Thor.”

Best of all, Amalgam serves great coffee alongside all this, as Johnson trained at Counter Culture coffee and Di Brunos’. Enjoy delicious bagels and cupcakes, as you browse through the best of Captain America titles or pick up the newest indie comic publication. There’s nothing better than spending time with friends, and Amalgam Comics offers the warm ambiance perfect for good conversation.